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Tag: Lagos State

  • Police dismiss four SARS operatives for robbery, other crimes

    AIG Adamu Ibrahim, in charge of Zone 2 Command, has approved the dismissal of four policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State, over alleged robbery and other crimes.

    CSP Dolapo Badmus, the Zone’s spokesperson, confirmed the dismissal on Sunday in Lagos.

    According to Badmus, the dismissed officers are Sgt. Adeoye Adekunle; Sgt. Adekitan Adebowale; Sgt. Agbi Lucky and Sgt. Odighe Hehosa.

    She said that the four policemen were dismissed and subsequently charged to court for armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful detention, intimidation and threatening violence.

    Badmus said that the panel recommended them for dismissal based on the report of the investigation carried out on a petition against them.

    She said that a petition was written against them by Mr Chukwudi Godwin Odionye, popularly referred to as ‘Bishop’ on May 2, 2018.

    “The petitioner stated that on June 4, 2017, he was in his house around Alagbado area of the state when four armed men stormed his house to effect his arrest on the allegation of performing ‘FAKE’ miracles.

    “He stated that after his arrest, he was taken to one hotel at Agege where he was detained and threatened to be killed if he fails to cooperate.

    “He explained further that the following day, June 5, 2017, he was taken to the bank where he was made to transfer N7 million to the account of one of the operatives.

    “On receipt of the petition, the AIG ordered investigation into the case.

    “On the strength of investigation, it was revealed that no proper police procedure for investigation was followed in Mr Chukwudi’s arrest.

    “The four SARS operatives actually abducted the man from his house and unlawfully detained him in the hotel under the guard of the suspects for personal gain,” Badmus said.

    She reiterated the AIG’s directive that the force would not tolerate any act of misconduct, which undermines the value of international best practices of the police.

  • Gov. Ambode calls for prison reforms

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Friday called for the reform of Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) to improve present condition of prisons across the country.

    Ambode made this call when he visited the Senate Committee on Interior on Retreat For the Review of Amendment to Nigeria Prison Act in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate committee on Interior was chaired by Senator Andy Uba representing Anambra North in the National Assembly.

    ” The reformation of Nigeria Prison is necessary especially the decongestion of the prison.

    ” Some inmates are suffering as a result of not being able to pay their fine.

    ” We will set up a committee in Lagos that will go round all the prison formations, ” Gov Ambode said.

    The Gov. commended the committee for their hard work in making laws that would benefit the people and constituents to the growth of the country .

    Ambode was represented by the Deputy Gov. of Lagos state, Dr Idiat Adebule

    The committee on interior on retreat for the review of Amendment to the prison Act was scheduled for between July 20 and July 21. ((NAN).

  • Court remands three men for allegedly robbing woman

    Three unemployed men were on Friday remanded in Kirikiri Prisons on the orders of an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly robbing a woman at gun point.

    The accused men are Righteous Ejiaru, 24; Sadiq Raheem, 21, and Opeyemi Hassan, 20.

    Chief Magistrate Mr A.A. Fashola, who gave the ruling, said the three men should be kept behind bars, pending an advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.

    The accused people, whose residential addresses were not provided, are facing a two-count charge of robbery and conspiracy.

    Read Also: I am as guilty as charged, fake medical doctor tells court

    Earlier, the Prosecuting Counsel, Police Sgt. Michael Unah, told court that the three men committed the offences on April 24 at 6.00 a. m. at Amuwo Odofin in Festac Town, Lagos.

    Unah alleged the accused conspired and robbed an unidentified woman at gun point.

    “The accused were caught by a mob that reported the case at a police station,” Unah said.

    According to him, the offences contravene Sections 297 (2) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Section 297 prescribes 21 years jail term for robbery, while Section 411 stipulates two years imprisonment for conspiracy.

    The magistrate adjourned the case until Aug. 13.

    NAN

  • Boosting medicare at the grassroots in Lagos

    The free medicare programme of the government Lagos State has been embraced by many residents the state, reports Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

    In twos and threes, residents of Ikoyi-Obalende and its environs thronged Daniel’s Compound. They were there to benefit from the free medical expedition programme tagged ‘The Eko Free Health Mission’ sponsored by the Lagos State Government.

    An Hausa man, a 40 year-old tailor, Aliu Dogo (not real names), who had a dental problem was attended to. He smiled, as he told The Nation that he was happy to get treatment.

    Dogo said: “My friend had a problem with his tooth. He went to hospital and it was pulled out. He got it refilled. He told me he paid over N40, 000. And that was the amount I was looking, when I learnt of this free mission. I did not pay,” Dogo said.

    Some women got glasses, while  others had blood pressure check ups, blood sugar level screened, and drugs.

    Ikoyi-Obalende is not the only local government that the free health mission berthed. No fewer than 44,000 residents of Ajeromi, Ifelodun, Ojo, Iba, Oto-Awori, Apapa, Iganmu, Lagos Mainland, Yaba, Ibeju-Lekki, Lekki, Oshodi, Isolo, Ejigbo, Eti-Osa, Eti-Osa East, Iru-Victoria Island and Ikoyi-Obalende LG and local council development areas benefited from the first phase, where about 8,659 individuals were diagnosed with hypertension, 1,018 diabetes while 281 cataracts.

    Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris said the figures were a serious cause of concern for the  government because it is a reflection of the need of Lagosians to make their health a priority.

    Idris said: “Over 9,000 people have refractive errors, 1,913 are with periodontitis and 54 cases of HIV positive persons were discovered. These numbers exclude cases of communicable diseases, such as malaria, respiratory tract diseases, skin infections, urinary tract infections, and sepsis.

    “There are a lot of individuals in our state who do not know the status of their health and are engaged in activities to improve their wellbeing. Let us all bear in mind, that a poor state of health is a significant hindrance to achieving our life dreams and ambitions.”

    Idris said the free medical mission programme was designed not only to treat primary health conditions and screen for common diseases but also to create a health consciousness and improve health promoting behaviour and practices.

    He said: “We encourage everyone to take advantage of the various services that are being offered during the programmes. The scope of services include screening services for non-communicable diseases, especially hypertension and diabetes, treatment of common ailments, HIV counselling and testing, family planning, screening and treatment of common Eye diseases as well as refractions and provision of glasses, dental care services and health education or health talks.”

    Idris said the programme were short-term interventions, but significant because they offer the government the opportunity to provide healthcare to all who come irrespective of their age, gender, socioeconomic status and affiliations within their community for their convenience.

    He added that the programme serves as a platform to increase the trust people have in government’s ability to protect their health.

    “No one is exempted from benefitting from this programme and this includes the most vulnerable part of our population at the grassroots, including the elderly, our very young, pregnant women, people living with disabilities and other health conditions related to maternal and child health,” he explained.

    He announced that the next phase of the programme would continue till next month. Other areas to be visited include Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA, August 7, Agbado-Oke Odo LCDA from  August 14 and Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, August 24.

    “The medical teams providing these services are competent professionals and are committed to ensuring that the mandates of the state government are fully realised, he added.

    The commissioner urged residents to visit mission centres.

    “As always, the Lagos State Government is working tirelessly to ensure that all citizens have healthcare coverage. The administration’s commitment to sustainable healthcare and universal health coverage is unshaken and this demands that the state adopts an approach that is not only efficient, but also effective in addressing the growing health demand of the Lagosians,” Idris said.

    The Programme Coordinator Dr. Dolapo Fasawe said figures from communities visited revealed that there was a steady increase in the rate of high blood pressure (BP) and high blood sugar stressing that this calls for serious concern.

    Fasawe, who is Director Special Projects in the Ministry of Health, said: “As doctors we should be concerned about this; a lot of people are being diagnosed with high blood pressure, a lot of people are having high blood sugar and we can attribute this to poor health education. Also, we are seeing that the age at which people need glasses and eye care is gradually getting lower. A lot of people are not taking good care of their eyes; this perhaps is not deliberate, but may be borne out of ignorance because there are certain foods, vitamins, and activities that you have to do to ensure that your eye sight stays good.”

    Fasawe said the government had policies and plans in place to address the situation, she added: “One of these is the school health programme. We are going into primary schools to screen pupils and teach prevention. We teach them on how to maintain their eye sight, dental care even hypertension and diabetes from a young age so that when they are adults like us, the incidence of these diseases will be low.”

    She explained that the free programme has made the ministry to know that there was need to intensify health education, sensitisation and awareness activities as some residents do not understand what preventive healthcare or healthy lifestyle is.

    “So, we have identified this and it is towards improving our policies in healthcare. The state government is continuously finding ways to improve the health status of its ever-increasing population and the plan for achieving this is based on the Health Policy Thrust of the state, which is guided by the noble goal that every Lagosian enjoys unfettered access to qualitative healthcare without any barrier whatsoever”.

    She urged to residents to enrol in the forthcoming health insurance scheme.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary, Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, said the mission was aimed at boost the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode health agenda. “He is very keen in providing a free healthcare for all resident of Lagos, not only the indigenes. Anybody that needs further attention will be sent to any of the primary health centres. This is part of the vision of this government that in each ward, a PHC should exist.”

    Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA Chairman, Mr. Fuad Atanda-Lawal said he was adding two more PHCs to the ones already in place. “All these indicate that the government of Ambode is working. He deserves another term and we will support him fully,” he added.

  • Ambode assures young entrepreneurs good environment for business

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, on Thursday assured young entrepreneurs in the state of the commitment of his administration to provide environment that would enable their businesses to thrive.

    The governor gave the assurance in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs Temiwunmi Tope-Banjoko in Lagos.

    According to Akinwunmi, his administration has pledged that it will continue to pay greater attention to the growth of young entrepreneurs in the state.

    “Young entrepreneurs should not push aside their ideas and innovations but understand the rudiments of what they want to embark upon.

    “The attention from government will also be backed up with an enabling environment and friendly policies that will enhance success of the entrepreneurs’ business initiatives,” he said.

    He said that the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) was established to ensure financial support for the residents of the state to tackle unemployment and wealth creations.

    Ambode said the LSETF was also for all young entrepreneurs, without any bureaucracy, for them to meet up with the required criteria.

    The governor said that the Yaba Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Hub was built as a platform for the congregation of technology and innovative entrepreneurs, capital, infrastructure and allied services for germination.

    Read Also: Ambode okays work on Airport-Oshodi road

    Others he said were for acceleration, penetration and adoption of IT and innovation in up scaling business, administrative functionalities and the ease of daily living.

    He further urged young entrepreneurial not to sheathe their ideas and innovations but ensure they that did not jump into any business without knowing fully, the rudiments guiding such business.

    The governor also advised the young entrepreneurs to tap into exhibitions like the TEXPO Technology Exhibition programme that was recently organised.

    He counselled them to mingle with mentors who could set them on the right path of establishing a business and accomplish their innovations.

    He also said that such effort could enable them have access to investors that would aid their businesses.

    The Coordinator of TEXPO, Mr Adetolani Eko, said the annual event was aimed at encouraging young and innovative technology entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Africa.

    Eko the exercise this was to ensure that young and innovative technology entrepreneurs were a force to reckon with in the world technology market.

    “This gives stakeholders the ecosystem, an opportunity to interact and showcase their products as it features industry influencers, exhibitors and potential investors.

    “Youths should not pockets their innovations but continue to strive for its accomplishment,” he said.

     

    NAN

  • Lagos sets up special squad to clear trucks, tankers

    …. appeals to Maritime workers to shelve planned strike

     

    Lagos State Government has set up a joint operation involving security agencies and stakeholders in the maritime sector to clear all containerized trucks and tankers parked along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway commencing from Friday.

    The operation tagged, ‘Operation Restore Sanity On Lagos Roads,’ was set up on Thursday and the exercise will be carried out from early hours of Friday to Monday.

    In order not to compound the already had situation the government has also appealed to Maritime Union Workers, in the interest of the nation, to shelve their planned strike action and other moves they have so far embarked on which led to the gridlock, while also appealing to Lagos residents to bear with government especially in the event of diversions to ensure removal of the parked trucks and containers.

    The squad consists of 1000 policemen, 500 officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), 100 officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), 120 officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and 250 personnel of the Nigerian Military including Army, Air Force and the Navy.

    Apart from providing the equipment to be used for the operation, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) will also deploy 20 officials, while the relevant unions within the maritime sector such as Amalgamation of Container Truck Owners Association, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Association of Transport Operators (NATO), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), among others will provide hundreds of their members to serve as Task Force to work with security agencies.

    Addressing a press briefing after an emergency meeting on the chaos in Apapa axis as a result of the gridlock, the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal said the decision to set up the operation became imperative owing to the need to restore sanity and prevent complete breakdown of law and order.

    He said though the issues which gave rise to the sorry state of affairs on the federal roads and bridges linking the ports ranges from ports operational problems, activities of tank farms and shipping lines who don’t have holding bays in clear contravention to the law, and diversion as a result of ongoing construction, among others, the State Government nonetheless would not fold it arms and allow the sufferings of the people to continue, a development he said necessitated the operation.

    He said it was gratifying that all stakeholders unanimously agreed that the operation should commence with immediate effect, while the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other relevant agencies work to fashion out permanent solution to the issues within the Ports which gave rise to the gridlock.

    According to the CP, “Everybody is aware of the madness going on along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway that has been completely blocked by trailers and tankers. The same problem we have on our bridges in Western Avenue, Iganmu and Apapa axis.

    “However, it would be irresponsible of us to continue to watch and allow Lagosians go through these period of untold hardship without coming up with strong palliative and security measures and strong joint effort to at least ease the traffic problem and allow for free flow of traffic, while agencies that are responsible for these problems sit together like I hear they are doing currently and fashion out permanent solutions to the problems.

    Read Also: Will trucks, trailers ever leave Apapa?

    “We have held series of meetings betweenThursday and Friday and we have come up immediately with a resolve to immediately start ‘Operation Restore Sanity On Lagos Roads’. This operation which kicks off by early hours of Friday is intended to move trucks and containers from our roads, highways and bridges to designated locations.

    “Thereafter, inventory will be made. The shipping companies themselves will be called to send their representatives to take inventory of these containers and at least have records that the containers have been taken to the designated locations so that they can continue their activities from there,” Edgal said.

    He commended motorists and Lagos residents especially those staying in the Apapa axis for their patience and understanding so far, just as he assured that concerted efforts would be made to free the road between Friday and Monday, while another level of engagement would commence with the NPA, tank farm owners, shipping companies, Shippers Council and other stakeholders to forestall a repeat of the gridlock.

    Also speaking, LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Olawale Musa assured residents that normalcy and order would soon be restored, saying that the men of the agency had fully been mobilized.

    “Just to tell Lagosians that as a government, we are very responsive and for a situation that is beyond our control and not our doing, we are nonetheless making all efforts to ease the problems of Lagosians.

    “We are on ground and we are going to ensure that sanity is restored on our roads. If the people are suffering, we are also suffering because for me to get to Apapa is a big problem to access the road but with all stakeholders coming together to solve these problems, we assure Lagosians that very soon we are going to restore order,” Musa said.

  • Man, 45, scales school fence to steal laptops

    A 45-year-old man, Sanni Umaru, who allegedly scaled the fence of a school to steal laptops, is to spend the next 12 days in prison pending the advice of Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution.

    An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos gave the ruling on Thursday.

    The Magistrate, Mr W. A. Salami, directed that the case file should be sent to the DPP for advice.

    The accused, whose address was not provided, is being tried for attempting to steal, disorderly manner, forcibly entering the premises.

    The Police Prosecutor, Abiola Adewale, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 7 at Vetland Secondary School, Agege, Lagos.

    Adewale said that the accused unlawfully scaled a fence of Vetland Secondary School with intention to steal laptops kept in the office.

    The offence contravened Sections 287, 52, and 168 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The court adjourned the case until July 30 for mention.

  • ‘Lagos will continue to be leading sports hub in Africa’

    Commends residents for good behaviour at World Cup viewing centers

    Lagos State Government has assured Lagosians that it would continue to position Lagos State as the leading sports hub in Africa while creating the synergy between sports, tourism, entertainment, job creation and business.

    Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Adedayo Tandoh, gave this assurance in a statement on Tuesday while commending residents for their good conduct at the eight World Cup Viewing Centers throughout the period of the just concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup

    Tandoh said throughout the one month period the Centers were up and running, residents conducted themselves orderly and enjoyed the 64 games.

    Tandoh also thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his great wisdom and insight in approving the setting up of eight World Cup Viewing Centers across the State for Lagosians.

    “I want to thank Lagosians for making His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode proud by their exemplary conduct at the various Viewing Centers. For 30 days, there were no cases of violence, hooliganism or unruly behavior”, Tandoh said.

    Read Also: Lagos assures residents of safety

    Adding that the government was overwhelmed with the success of the event and that the huge success recorded could not have been possible without the support of all and sundry.

    He also expressed gratitude to International Breweries Ltd for partnering with the State’s Sports Commission for the laudable project.

    It would be recalled that the State Government, at the commencement of the World Cup on June 14, set up eight Viewing Centres with giant screens at Campos Mini Stadium Lagos Island; Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere; Abesan Estate in Alimosho; Naval Yard Ajegunle; Bishop Aggrey School Mushin, Ikorodu Town Hall; Badagry Viewing Centre and Epe Recreation Centre in Epe.

  • Customs loses officers to road accident – Spokesperson

    The Nigeria Customs Service Command, said it lost two of its officers in an accident on Badagry/Seme road in Badagry area of Lagos State.

    Mr Saidu Abdulahi, the Public Relations Officer of the command told the News Agency of Nigeria in Badagry on Monday that the accident involved three of officers of the command.

    “On July 14, a custom officer, named George, who was driving a Toyota Avalon lost control of his car while approaching the Gbaji Checkpoint

    on the Badagry/Seme road.

    “In the process, he rammed into two other custom officer, namely Usman and Kabiru, who were at a checkpoint a development that resulted to their death.

    “The driver of the car is presently at the Badagry General Hospital, receiving treatment as he is in delicate and fragile state,” he said.

    He dismissed the insinuation that the cause of the accident was speeding by the driver of the car.

    “There wasn’t any case of speeding as being said in some quarters. It was just an unfortunate event and it is a sad day for the command.

    Abdullahi described the victims as “some of our best behaved officers.“

    He noted that appropriate measures had being taken in reaching out to the victim’s families.

    “We have reached out to their respective family and measures have been taken in ensuring that they don’t feel the loss of their loved ones.”

  • Lagos CP laments drug abuse effects on youths

    Lagos State Police Commissioner Imohinmi Edgal has lamented the effects of drug abuse on youths.

    He spoke at an event in Ikeja organised by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) Adorable Foundation International as part of activities to make the  United Nations International World Drug Day.

    Speaking at a lecture with the theme: ‘’A societal awareness  campaign  against drug abuse’’, Edgal, represented  by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mohammed Ali said the high crime rate in the country could be traced to drug abuse.

    According to him, curbing drug abuse is not what the Nigeria Police alone can handle.

    He praised the NGO for joining the campaign.

    According to him, the foundation should endeavour to take the campaign to the schools to educate youths on the consequences of drug abuse.

    Adorable Foundation International founder, Princess  Ada Okeke Amam commended the Lagos Police Command for their tireless effort at reducing drug abuse.

    According to her, it is in this light that the CP agreed to flag off the campaign.

    She appealed to law enforcement agencies, parents, teachers and other well-meaning individuals serious since the menace is destroying youths.

    She also appealed to clerics and other religious leaders to take the campaign to their various places of worship.

    According to her, if all hands could be on deck, the frightening scourge of drug abuse would be reduced to the barest minimum.

    The foundation took the campaign to major markets in Lagos State, such as Computer Village, Odun Ede Market, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, among others, to educate traders on the evil effect of drug abuse.